MANILA, Philippines – National U-Nazareth School choked Ateneo and Kai Sotto to only two free throws in the final 5:33 to clear the way to a 64-53 triumph and mark the Bullpups' coronation as the new UAAP juniors' basketball vice the fallen Blue Eaglets Friday at a packed Filoil Flying V Center.

Putting up a stifling defense against the Season 81 MVP Sotto and his teammates, the Bullpups detonated a 14-2 bomb in the windup to complete their 2-0 sweep of the Eaglets and clinch their first title since 2016.

Big man Carl Tamayo, who was adjudged Finals MVP, gamely took on the main task of hounding Sotto, especially in the final quarter. Sotto still finished with 26 big points and 25 rebounds but Tamayo held him down to 1-of-10 shooting in the fourth, coughing up only two charities when the Bullpups made their breakaway.

Tamayo banged in 13 markers and grabbed 10 rebounds to backstop Terrence Fortea, who topscored with 15 spiked by clutch freebies and a booming triple that gave NU a 59-51 spread with 2:31 left. Kevin Quiambao, Tamayo's alternate in guarding Sotto, chipped in eight markers and six rebounds.

The 6-foot-7 Tamayo anchored NU's strong finishing kick, his reverse layup at the 4:14 mark sparking nine unanswered points that handed the Bullpups an eight-point spread. On the other end, he stood his ground and forced Sotto to either miss, kick it out, or get stripped of possession by his teammates.

When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited last week, he made assurances his country would come to the Philippines’ defense in the event of an armed attack on our vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea.

President Duterte and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad emphasized yesterday the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in maintaining peace and progress in the region, which is grappling with territorial disputes as well as China’s muscle-flexing.